Audit 45-Day Comment Chart 010609

Blam

Description

AUDIT RULEMAKING COMMENTS NAME OF PERSON/ RESPONSE ACTION REGULATIONS 45 DAY COMMENT PERIOD AFFILIATION 10002 Commenter requests that this section be Celsa Flores The comment does not address None. modified a bit to exclude employees on November 18, 2008 the amended audit regulations, temporary, under one year, job Written Comment the subject of this rulemaking. assignments. Commenter states that No response is necessary. sometimes employer hire employees to perform short term job assignments and that these assignments are often completed in days, weeks or months (less than one year). Commenter opines that these employees should be excluded from being eligible for the 15% payment increase of permanent partial disability. 10100.2 – 10115.2 Liberty Mutual Group (Liberty) is a Kathleen Bissell See response to CWCI comments. None. member of the California Workers’Assistant Vice Compensation Institute (CWCI); Liberty President supports the comments made by CWCI. Regional Director Liberty Mutual December 15, 2008 Written Comments 10101.1 Liberty appreciates that the regulations The Division of Workers’None. continue to allow claim file and claim log Compensation (DWC) recognizes information in electronic format; Liberty that claims can be efficiently supports CWCI comments regarding the administered if files are amended regulation. maintained in an electronic format. See response to CWCI comments. 10101.1 How can a ...

Informations

• Publié par: Thyam
• Nombre de lectures: 20
• Langue: English

Extrait

AUDIT RULEMAKING COMMENTS NAME OF PERSON/ RESPONSE ACTION REGULATIONS 45 DAY COMMENT PERIOD AFFILIATION     10002

Commenter requests that this section be Celsa Flores modified a bit to exclude employees on November 18, 2008 temporary, under one year, job Written Comment assignments. Commenter states that sometimes employer hire employees to perform short term job assignments and that these assignments are often completed in days, weeks or months (less than one year). Commenter opines that these employees should be excluded from being eligible for the 15% payment increase of permanent partial disability.       10100.2 – 10115.2 Liberty Mutual Group (Liberty) is a Kathleen Bissell member of the California Workers’ Assistant Vice Compensation Institute (CWCI); Liberty President supports the comments made by CWCI. Regional Director Liberty Mutual December 15, 2008 Written Comments      Liberty appreciates that the regulations continue to allow claim file and claim log information in electronic format; Liberty supports CWCI comments regarding the amended regulation.

  10101.1

  10101.1

   How can a carrier ensure that they have a Mary Rountree, copy of every correspondence that an Manager injured worker has sent to the DWC? The Farmers’ Insurance

The comment does not address None. the amended audit regulations, the subject of this rulemaking. No response is necessary.

   See response to CWCI comments. None.

   The Division of Workers’ None. Compensation (DWC) recognizes that claims can be efficiently administered if files are maintained in an electronic format. See response to CWCI comments.    DWC cannot possibly impose Amend section 10101.1 administrative penalties on claims such that any piece of administrator for failing to correspondence that

Page 1 of 65

AUDIT REGULATIONS   

 

RULEMAKING COMMENTS 45 DAY COMMENT PERIOD

text of the proposed regulation does not indicate that the file must include correspondence sent by the injured worker.

 

NAME OF PERSON/ AFFILIATION   

Group December 12, 2008 Written Comment  

 

RESPONSE

include in a claims file a piece of correspondence that was never received. Regardless, DWC will clarify the proposed amendment by expressly stating that correspondence in a claim file must be either initiated or received.  

ACTION  

must be included in a claim file shall be either initiated or received by the claims administrator.

 

Page 2 of 65

AUDIT RULEMAKING COMMENTS NAME OF PERSON/ RESPONSE ACTION REGULATIONS 45 DAY COMMENT PERIOD AFFILIATION     Sections 10100.2 – The current audit process has failed to Todd McFarren, DWC appreciates general None. 10115.2 correct the egregious claim handling that President comments regarding its current continues to plague the system and harm California Applicants’ audit procedures and invites injured workers. The Legislature enacted Attorneys’ Association suggestions from the public as to the audit statutes in the early 1990s December 15, 2008 how to improve the audit because Division reports showed a Written Comment program. The statements and consistently high percentage of late first recommendations made by the payments of temporary disability commenter have been reviewed indemnity. Unfortunately, however, as and considered. However, the shown in DWC’s report on 2006 audits, general comments regarding the although the audit process has been in purported failure of the audit place for nearly 15 years, that shameful program do not specifically performance has not improved. The address the proposed amendment payment of first temporary disability to the audit regulations and indemnity was late in one of every five therefore do not require a claims (21%). In addition, the 2006 response in this rulemaking audits cited 306 violations for late first procedure. payment of permanent disability indemnity and 1,543 violations for late subsequent indemnity payments. Year after year the audit results show that, on average, the claim adjuster has failed to pay uncontested benefits to a worker in one out of every six or seven claims audited. Reviewing fewer than 5,000 claims, auditors found that claim adjusters failed to pay almost $700,000 in uncontested benefits in 2006. CAAA strongly recommends that the Division amend these regulations to better fulfill their intended purpose; namely to provide a meaningful disincentive for bad claim handling.  

 

 

 

 

Page 3 of 65

See above. Comments regarding None. the standards for “passing” the PAR and FCA audits do not specifically address the proposed amendment to the audit regulations and therefore do not require a response in this rulemaking procedure.

AUDIT RULEMAKING COMMENTS NAME OF PERSON/ RESPONSE ACTION REGULATIONS 45 DAY COMMENT PERIOD AFFILIATION     Sections 10100.2 – The standards for "passing" the PAR and   10115.2 FCA in section 10107.1 should be revised. Currently a claim adjuster "passes" the PAR audit – and is therefore excused from all penalties – as long as its performance rating is better than the worst 20% of audits conducted over the past three years. In other words, the adjuster doesn’t have to have a "good"    performance rating to be excused from all penalties, it just has to be better than the worst performers. DWC should adopt a new process for determining "satisfactory" performance in the PAR and FCA audits (note that "satisfactory" performance is the statutory standard as set forth in Labor Code section 129(b)). A "satisfactory" performance should be based upon objective standards, such as timely payment of first payment of temporary disability indemnity in at least 90% of claims. Merely being better than the worst 20% of all audits should not be a "get out of jail free card" for adjusting firms. In our opinion, the current toothless audit is an ineffective use of both time and money, and we strongly urge the Division to amend section 10107.1 to establish a revised procedure for determining a "satisfactory" performance rating that will provide a real incentive for poorly performing claim adjusters to improve. This change would increase the number of audits conducted by the

Page 4 of 65

AUDIT RULEMAKING COMMENTS NAME OF PERSON/ REGULATIONS 45 DAY COMMENT PERIOD AFFILIATION     Division each year. However, it must be recognized that a properly designed audit process would provide a strong incentive to improve claim handling. Further, since the Division is user funded, any expansion of the number of audits would have no impact on the state budget. Rather than increasing costs, to adopt objective performance standards would lead to lower costs for employers, while also helping to improve the lives of injured workers, by improving the claim adjustment process.     Sections 10100.2 – DWC must increase the number of civil 10115.2 penalty investigations. No new civil penalty investigations were initiated in 2006; this lack of action is extremely disturbing in view of the poor claim adjusting documented in the 2006 audit report. Where an adjustor has unpaid and uncontested compensation due to workers in one of every three or four claims there is clear evidence of a general business practice in violation of Labor Code section 129.5(d).    Several of the subdivisions of this section have added the phrase "whether stored on paper or in electronic form...." However, some subdivisions with similar content do not include this new phrase. We recommend that instead of adding this

  10101.1

RESPONSE ACTION  

   See above. Comments regarding None. civil penalty investigations do not specifically address the proposed amendment to the audit regulations and therefore do not require a response in this rulemaking procedure.

   Agreed in part. DWC recognizes Amend section 10101.1 that claims can be efficiently to move subdivision (p) administered if files are to the introductory maintained in an electronic paragraph. format. In fact, the proposed subdivision (p), which will be

Page 5 of 65

AUDIT REGULATIONS   

  10101.1(p)

  10106.1(c)(1)(C)

RULEMAKING COMMENTS NAME OF PERSON/ RESPONSE ACTION 45 DAY COMMENT PERIOD AFFILIATION  

phrase to individual subdivisions (or in addition to), that it be placed in the introductory paragraph of this section so that it applies to every subdivision.      This subdivision is incorrectly formatted. The subdivisions of the regulation are a listing of the materials that should be included in the claim file. However, subdivision (p) is a specific requirement, not a description of something that should be in the claim file.     The last sentence of this subparagraph has been deleted in the proposed regulations. We are not certain why it is being deleted. Because this section does not define the application or amount of penalties, we do not believe the deletion of this sentence in any way changes the fact that all penalties are required to be assessed and collected when an audit subject fails to meet or exceed the worst 10% of performance ratings in a FCA. Nevertheless, deleting this sentence, particularly considering the fact that the deletion is not even mentioned in the Initial Statement of Reasons issued for these regulatory changes, could create some misunderstanding of the intent of this change. We recommend that the sentence

now become part of the introductory paragraph, expressly provides that the contents of claims files may be in hard copy or electronic form.    Agreed. Subdivision (p) is not a Amend section 10101.1 description of documents but to move subdivision (p) rather a specific requirement to the introductory regarding the format of the claim paragraph. file. The subdivision should be set aside from the required contents of a claim file.    Disagree. “The return target audit None. shall be conducted in addition to any penalties assessed as a result of the qualifying audit.” This sentence is unnecessary and its deletion is appropriate. It is not pertinent to target audit criteria or the designation of an audit subject for a target audit. The deletion of this sentence does not change the fact that all administrative penalties are required to be assessed and collected when an audit subject fails to meet or exceed the worst 10% of performance ratings in a FCA.

Page 6 of 65

AUDIT REGULATIONS      10107.1(m)

  10111.2(a)(10)

RULEMAKING COMMENTS NAME OF PERSON/ RESPONSE ACTION 45 DAY COMMENT PERIOD AFFILIATION  

be reinstated as it does not appear to conflict with or otherwise affect the intent and application of this subdivision.    We support the change to the last sentence of this subdivision that reduces the time period to provide requested documentation or other information pursuant to a request from the Audit Unit from 30 days to 10 days. However, this change appears to conflict with the language of subdivision (f) which states that: "If any additional requested documentation is not provided within thirty days of receipt of the report, additional audit penalties may be assessed under California Code of Regulations, title 8, section 10111.2(b)(23) of these Regulations." We recommend that the time limits in sections 10107.1(f) and 10111.2(b)(23) be amended to 10 days to conform with the changes to section 10107.1(m). Alternatively, if it is determined that those sections apply to situations other than that described in section 10107.1(m), any differences should be described.    One proposed change to paragraph (10) states that penalty amounts "will not exceed $5000 except as provided by Labor Code section 129.5(c)(3)." This reference appears to be misplaced because

   Disagree. The section is not in None. conflict with subdivision (f). Subdivision (m) applies to requests made during the course of an audit. The subdivision provides, “The Audit Unit may at any time request additional information or documentation related to the claims being audited in order to complete its audit.” (Emphasis added.) Requests for documents made under subdivision (f) apply following the conclusion of the audit. The different timeframes are reasonable; a shorter period during the course of the audit expedites the audit process and allows for more efficient use of auditor resources.

   Disagree. Audit subjects who fail None. the FCA are subject to the assessment of administrative penalties set forth in both subdivisions (a) and (b). As such,

Page 7 of 65

AUDIT REGULATIONS   

10111.2(a)(10)

RULEMAKING COMMENTS NAME OF PERSON/ RESPONSE ACTION 45 DAY COMMENT PERIOD AFFILIATION   subdivision (a) of section 10111.2 applies the reference to the penalty cap in to full compliance audits that fail to meet Labor Code section 129.5(c) is or exceed PAR performance standards but appropriate. Administrative meet the performance standards for the penalties for audit subjects who FCA. Labor Code section 129.5(c)(3), do not fail the FCA are limited by however, describes a penalty structure the $5,000 cap set forth in section where the audit subject has failed the full 129.5(b). compliance audit. Consequently, we recommend that this Labor Code reference be deleted from subdivision (a). Instead we recommend that references to the $40,000 penalty cap under Labor Code section 129.5(c)(3) be added to subdivision (b) and subdivision (c)(7) of section 10111.2.     In addition, we strongly disagree with the change in paragraph (10) to delete the word "by" and instead provide that the penalty for failure to pay or late payment in violation of an award or order will be increased by "up to" 100%. We do not understand why this penalty should be reduced where the failure to pay or the late payment is in violation of an award or order of the WCAB. This is not a benefit that is in question in any way. The adjuster has received full legal notice of its responsibility to provide the benefit. What possible reason can there be to reduce this penalty for failure to comply with a Board award or order? We strongly recommend that this change be deleted

Agree in part. DWC does not Amend section believe that there is a significant 10111.2(a)(10) to distinction between the word “by” substitute the “by” for and phrase “up to.” Use of the the phrase “up to”. phrase “up to” anticipates situations where the imposition of 100% increase in administrative penalties would result in the assessment of a penalty that is over the $5,000 penalty cap (or $40,000 for subject that fails the FCA). Regardless, to avoid misunderstanding, DWC will substitute the word “by” for the phrase “up to”.

Page 8 of 65

   Disagree. The administrative None. penalties under subdivision (b)(27), for each failure to comply with the supplemental job displacement benefit notice requirements, are comparable to the administrative penalties assessed for similar notification violations. See, for example, the administrative penalty structure under section 10111.2(b)(18), for a failure to notify an injured worker of his or her possible entitlement to permanent disability benefits.

AUDIT RULEMAKING COMMENTS NAME OF PERSON/ RESPONSE ACTION REGULATIONS 45 DAY COMMENT PERIOD AFFILIATION     and that the current language providing that the penalty "will be increased by 100%" be reinstated.     10111.2(b)(27), (28), These new paragraphs establish penalties and (29). for violations regarding the Supplemental Job Displacement Benefit (SJDB). Paragraph (27) establishes penalties of up to $500 for failure to issue a notice of the SJDB, while paragraphs (28) and (29) establish penalties up to $1,000 for failure to issue or pay the voucher. We believe the failure to provide notice of this benefit is, particularly where the worker does not have legal representation, equivalent to simply extinguishing the worker’s right to this important benefit. Consequently, we believe the failure to provide notice should not have a lower penalty than the other violations. We recommend that paragraph (27) be amended to conform to paragraph (28) by adding a new penalty of "$1,000 for each failure to issue the notice of supplemental job displacement if the notice was issued more than 51 days late or was not issued."    We strongly recommend deletion of the new sentence allowing mitigation of penalties in an amount greater than 20% in extraordinary circumstances. We believe that the current audit structure, and particularly the total elimination of

  10111.2(c)(2)

   Disagree. Mitigation in an None. amount greater than 20% will only be applied only in extraordinary circumstances where the assessment of 80% of the full penalty amount will be

Page 9 of 65

AUDIT RULEMAKING COMMENTS NAME OF PERSON/ RESPONSE ACTION REGULATIONS 45 DAY COMMENT PERIOD AFFILIATION     penalties from the majority of audits, has clearly inequitable. completely eroded any possible advantage Administrative penalties serve as from this procedure. Under the current a disincentive to engage in system most audit subjects pay zero improper and illegal claims penalties. A minority of audit subjects (9 handling practices. Such out of 74 in 2006) is required to pay only penalties should not be rigidly those penalties associated with late assessed in a fixed amount in payment or failure to pay indemnity circumstances where an audit benefits, and only a minuscule number (2 subject has demonstrated good in 2006) must pay the assessed penalties faith attempts to comply with its for all violations. Because the rules limit legal obligations. the payment of penalties to only the worst performers, we do not believe "mitigation" of the assessed penalties is justified under any circumstances. Until and unless the audit process is amended as recommended in the introduction of this letter to establish objective standards for "passing" audits, the Division should seriously consider eliminating any provision for "mitigation" of penalties. t 10100.2 (a), (e), and Proposed regulations that include satellite Marie W. Wardell, (ee) offices as adjusting locations will affect Claims Operations operating costs that will be passed onto all Manager employers. The proposed changes to these State Fund definitions will have an impact on various December 15, 2008 phases of the audit process. Many claims Written Comments administrators are re-evaluating their business structure, eliminating multiple adjusting locations and creating regional offices, and, only as needed, establishing satellite offices.

   Disagree. DWC recognizes that None the current economic environment may compel claims administrators to restructure their current business operations. However, the changes proposed by the commenter would essentially allow each claims administrator unfettered discretion to control the number of their adjusting locations

Page 10 of 65

AUDIT REGULATIONS   

RULEMAKING COMMENTS NAME OF PERSON/ RESPONSE 45 DAY COMMENT PERIOD AFFILIATION  

Local Management - The proposed definition does not address the various management structures throughout the industry and will create different standards for audit subjects and their adjusting locations. Further, if there is a Supervisor at a satellite office, it is deemed an adjusting location. It is not uncommon for an adjusting location supervisor and a satellite office supervisor to be accountable to the same adjusting location manager who is physically located at the adjusting location. The proposed regulations are depicting the supervisor’s role at the satellite office at the same level of responsibility as their manager.    Adjusting Location - Claims administrators may create temporary satellite offices as a business decision due to limited office space, availability of claims staff, or cost effectiveness. Their job classification, responsibility and authority level is the same as the supervisors located at the adjusting location. Including temporary satellite offices as a separate adjusting location creates a new hierarchy in job responsibility, function and accountability for satellite office staff. Expecting greater responsibility on a satellite office supervisor could create personnel/union issues, which may result in an increase in

through the number of individuals they choose to designate as managers who have “ultimate managerial   responsibility, accountability and authority over claims administration.” In one sense, there can be only one person who fits the description proposed by the commenter: the chief executive officer of the organization.   It would be difficult for DWC to tailor its definitions to accommodate the business needs of claims administrators. The proposed amendments by DWC provide a simple, common sense approach to defining “adjusting location”: if a location has staff with supervisory authority over claims administration, it may be considering an adjusting location. It is important to note the word “may”. Should a claims administrator demonstrate that an office or location with supervisory personnel cannot properly be considered a separate adjusting location, the Audit Unit has the discretion to combine the audit of that office with the more appropriate location.

ACTION

Page 11 of 65